Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I may have been thinking of Golden Ace in the advert.
Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?
- Thread starter flashfire276
- Start date
I may have been thinking of Golden Ace in the advert.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Maybe. There was Jose Luis Clerc and I believe a couple others using the Golden Ace. I think it would have been cool of them to have a pro using the Bronze Ace though. Or the Copper Ace.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yeah, Bronze Ace was early and contemporaneous with the Black Ace and Black Max, so I'm sure a few Pros would have tried it.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Even though this Spalding Jet-Flite has yellowed and crackled paint-work, I couldn't resist it at £2.50 because it is straight and the fittings are all otherwise in good condition. I'm guessing it is from the 1950s with the Jet reference, and being Made in England. A particularly nice feature is the hoop is rolled only on the inside, evoking the front of a jet engine. I'm sure it helps if you can swing it at 500mph!
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Wow. Never seen a Spalding wood that wasn’t made in either the USA, Belgium, or Taiwan.Even though this Spalding Jet-Flite has yellowed and crackled paint-work, I couldn't resist it at £2.50 because it is straight and the fittings are all otherwise in good condition. I'm guessing it is from the 1950s with the Jet reference, and being Made in England. A particularly nice feature is the hoop is rolled only on the inside, evoking the front of a jet engine. I'm sure it helps if you can swing it at 500mph!
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I've seen a few other Made in England models too, like Tru-Flite. I'm not sure whether they outsourced production to an English maker, like they did with Snauwaert in Belgium, or had their own factory.
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davced1
Hall of Fame
Love the finishing tape they could just have used black but went the extra mile to color match. On a side note finishing tape seemed to be better quality in those days seems to last forever and the manufacturers where more careful to make it look good not the sloppy taping we see on some modern rackets.
I've seen a few other Made in England models too, like Tru-Flite. I'm not sure whether they outsourced production to an English maker, like they did with Snauwaert in Belgium, or had their own factory.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Indeed, brand new it must have looked superb.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
A recent trip to a local thrift netted a sad, warped Prince Woodie, a very well-used early Prince Comp 110 (individual grommets!), and an almost unused Spectrum Comp Series 110 Limited Edition (the banana yellow one), all with covers, for $2.00 each.
I have a thrift shop story to tell..... I found a Donnay Bag at the local thrift shop and I could tell it had a couple of racquets in it. I unzipped one side and it had a classic Borg All Wood. The other side held presumably the graphite replacement of said racquet. It was in pristine condition and looked unused. But there was more. There was an unopened plastic package that contained what looked initially like some sort of slip on replacement grip as might be used on a modern hockey stick.
I remove it and look at the ornate label. "Classic Dong" it says. I laugh and replace all the items and leave, pondering if the whole uh, package is worth the 10 bucks or so.
I also wondered about the club the player may have been a....... member of.
I remove it and look at the ornate label. "Classic Dong" it says. I laugh and replace all the items and leave, pondering if the whole uh, package is worth the 10 bucks or so.
I also wondered about the club the player may have been a....... member of.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
I mean, a classic Donnay gearbag is probably worth 30-40 by itself.
Casey 1988
Rookie
Japan had some back when Japan in the late 1950's to almost end of 1960's was known as a manufacturing hub for selling cheap but well made products getting the raw materials cheap from USSR or from the Chinese. I used some old 1960's Spalding model of mainly black but a small part of the hood was wood or yellowed white a friend had that were made in Japan as a kid back in 1990's when wood racquets were worthless, but the Steel models were basically giveaway models, not like now at $20--$30 on e-Bay if you include the shipping.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Spalding actually owned Snauwaert for a while. Pulled out of the factory they shared with Wilson in Cortland, NY. Supposedly the Jack Kramer Autograph and the Spalding Pancho Gonzales Autograph were the same under the paint
I've seen a few other Made in England models too, like Tru-Flite. I'm not sure whether they outsourced production to an English maker, like they did with Snauwaert in Belgium, or had their own factory.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
They do look very similar with the squarish beams and short flake. Late models of the 'Signature' Spalding look rather like the Chris Evert Autograph too. Although, I don't think Wilson made the Jet Flite for Spalding. It looks most like a Slazenger or Grays model from the 50s with its nicely rolled edges.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Was visiting Lake Tahoe this weekend, enjoying the crisp and beautiful weather in the high Sierra Nevada. Mrs. Retro spotted a Goodwill shop and suggested we check it out. I’m glad she had the idea: I found (and happily liberated) a beautiful, straight, and seemingly little-used Narragansett Machine Co. “Sixty:” a beautiful standard-sized, open-throated wood racquet made in Pawtuckett, Rhode Island in the 1930’s of perhaps 1940’s. A fine racquet by the looks of it.
Go to Tahoe to see beautiful classic American wooden boats, and leave with a beautiful classic American wood racquet. With a few excellent meals and beverages in the mix, not a bad deal at all. ;-)
Go to Tahoe to see beautiful classic American wooden boats, and leave with a beautiful classic American wood racquet. With a few excellent meals and beverages in the mix, not a bad deal at all. ;-)
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Played a league match with the Hyper Prostaff 5.0 and it hit great. it has a full bed of X-One biphase 16 @53 lbs and it hits wonderfully. Loads of spin and power. The guy I'm playing is older, he told me he took a 24 year break from tennis after college. His last racket was a Donnay Mid 25 graphite composite that he used from the mid 80s-90s when he quit tennis. He didn't tell me the reason for his break, but got back into league play in his late 50s and started at 3.5 and now is 4.0. He had a bit of trouble with the pace I was giving him here with the Hpr PS 5.0. My serve felt pretty great here.
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teachingprotx
Legend
Dude . Score . SCORE !
A fine example of retro ing out with maximum efficiency and fun was had by all a success by all accounts brother
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Thanks for thinking so! The racquet was just the cherry atop a very nice cake. Definitely feeling very blessed on many levels in life this last weekend.Dude . Score . SCORE !
A fine example of retro ing out with maximum efficiency and fun was had by all a success by all accounts brother
Hope you all are, too, wherever you’re at and whatever you find yourself doing.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I saw a Lillywhite Frowd stick in reasonable condition at the weekend. Must have been 1940s or 50s. Should I nab it?
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kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
I caved tonight guys. At my nighttime league, I looked up who I was playing and he seemed a level or two below me, so I figured I’d use the Boron Ace as that racket forces me to be precise and won’t let me tee off like my Barricade with poly will. And I hit pretty well during warmups, and I could gauge this kid is just not very good.
Match starts off, I get up a break and it’s 2/love, and then I kinda just fall apart. For some reason I either go for too much or miss just trying to keep it in with the boron Ace. I start double faulting a lot and all of a sudden the score was 2/5. In anger and frustration I cave in. Tossed the Boron Ace aside and pick up my Baricade with its modern poly string and proceed to take out my frustrations on the poor kid. Won 5 straight games and took the match 7/5, 6/1.
But I feel it was a loss. Since I was in a bad mood I went from paddy caking the ball like I was with the boron to slapping the crap out of it. Hit a ton of winners and my share of errors but his serve was so pitiful I was breaking almost every game. I could tell he was kind of mad at me because it became clear I had imposed a handicap on myself and when it looked like I might lose I abandoned it and proceeded to go all out. And it worked but I totally failed in my mission to have patience and work on building points.
Oh, one minor thing in my defense. Part of my anger stemmed from 2 points early on in my slide. One, was a clear shot that landed smack on the baseline. These are the indoor carpet courts and when a ball hits the line an unmissable ‘crack’ sound is heard. But he called it long saying and I quote “my ears maybe heard something by my eyes clearly saw that ball hit the ground.”(as in missing the line long). A statement so stupid it left me completely dumbfounded. I whisper to the camera afterwards “the ground don’t make a crack sound.”
And also a point where he said he almost called hinderence because he thought I was raising my hand to call a ball out, when I was just raising it as part of my take back motion. The ball in question was in the middle of the court…. Nowhere near out, and idk why he’d think I’d even fathom calling it out. So yeah my patience at myself, and him wore thin. So I didn’t hold back remotely after switching rackets. I was actually pissed when he got a game…
Match starts off, I get up a break and it’s 2/love, and then I kinda just fall apart. For some reason I either go for too much or miss just trying to keep it in with the boron Ace. I start double faulting a lot and all of a sudden the score was 2/5. In anger and frustration I cave in. Tossed the Boron Ace aside and pick up my Baricade with its modern poly string and proceed to take out my frustrations on the poor kid. Won 5 straight games and took the match 7/5, 6/1.
But I feel it was a loss. Since I was in a bad mood I went from paddy caking the ball like I was with the boron to slapping the crap out of it. Hit a ton of winners and my share of errors but his serve was so pitiful I was breaking almost every game. I could tell he was kind of mad at me because it became clear I had imposed a handicap on myself and when it looked like I might lose I abandoned it and proceeded to go all out. And it worked but I totally failed in my mission to have patience and work on building points.
Oh, one minor thing in my defense. Part of my anger stemmed from 2 points early on in my slide. One, was a clear shot that landed smack on the baseline. These are the indoor carpet courts and when a ball hits the line an unmissable ‘crack’ sound is heard. But he called it long saying and I quote “my ears maybe heard something by my eyes clearly saw that ball hit the ground.”(as in missing the line long). A statement so stupid it left me completely dumbfounded. I whisper to the camera afterwards “the ground don’t make a crack sound.”
And also a point where he said he almost called hinderence because he thought I was raising my hand to call a ball out, when I was just raising it as part of my take back motion. The ball in question was in the middle of the court…. Nowhere near out, and idk why he’d think I’d even fathom calling it out. So yeah my patience at myself, and him wore thin. So I didn’t hold back remotely after switching rackets. I was actually pissed when he got a game…
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Casey 1988
Rookie
Is this the real Wilson Blade or the cheap aluminum beginner and kids models of blade?
Casey 1988
Rookie
Nice to see an old 90--95 square inch frame from the 1980's from ProKennex can hold its own being like a modern pro model/player's racquet like what Wilson and a few others are doing only better in design, not like a modern pro model racquet that needs power and/or speed to work the frame.
It's a real one.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
I think the v6 implies that it’s the real blade. I don’t think most people here would bother buying the kids version, much less post about it.
Yes, it is the v6 and it is graphite, not aluminum. I took a really good look at it before I was sure. I had never seen that particular model before since it is several years old. I have bought the aluminum kids version for about the same price though. Even that was an OK deal. It was a better than average starter racquet.
Casey 1988
Rookie
I was meaning the adult/Jr Blade models in aluminum that were crap and had own numbering system in the 2000's to fool dumb people into buying what they thought was trickle down models or for some people to hide the model as all they can afford, kind of how brands did in mid 2000's onwards to now even with titanium coated steel racquets that are a mainly look similar in paint job to the real deal type thing like now mainly with Babolot and Head, with a titanium model for Willson when at times needed and an aluminum can't get the job done.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Oh boy, here we go. just started editing, but had to clip this exhange for its own video because that explanation is so bizarre. dude absolutely robbed me out of one of the only good winners I had with the Boron Ace that night...
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Don't know much about this Kramer Cup as there's only one short thread and it doesn't appear in any magazines. Made in Belgium for the Wilson Company Ltd, Irvine, Scotland. Does that help date it?
Has some nice features and seems well made, but the fake handle join is a bit cheesy. Plastic butt-cap, nylon spiral strings and a thin feeling leather, so I guess mid-1970s.
Has some nice features and seems well made, but the fake handle join is a bit cheesy. Plastic butt-cap, nylon spiral strings and a thin feeling leather, so I guess mid-1970s.
Casey 1988
Rookie
Is this a full-length 27 inch/65.5 cm racquet?Don't know much about this Kramer Cup as there's only one short thread and it doesn't appear in any magazines. Made in Belgium for the Wilson Company Ltd, Irvine, Scotland. Does that help date it?
Has some nice features and seems well made, but the fake handle join is a bit cheesy. Plastic butt-cap, nylon spiral strings and a thin feeling leather, so I guess mid-1970s.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yes, 27'', 68.5cm.
Casey 1988
Rookie
Don't know much about this Kramer Cup as there's only one short thread and it doesn't appear in any magazines. Made in Belgium for the Wilson Company Ltd, Irvine, Scotland. Does that help date it?
Has some nice features and seems well made, but the fake handle join is a bit cheesy. Plastic butt-cap, nylon spiral strings and a thin feeling leather, so I guess mid-1970s.
Maybe this is like the modern made since the 2000's, Wilson US Open aluminum beginner models as to how it is being marketed and now since late 2010's when carbon fiber took over most of the top models, the $70 up to $100 USA graphite Wilson US Open models currently being made?
These models that seem to be marketed to beginners in the aluminum or with the current year's color Graphite Wilson US Open players for the very next level players from beginner as well as being used by players who like these graphite intermediate models.
I would bet that is what this model is supposed to be, some lower end model especially if this was made in the 1970's after 1972 when the steel and slightly more casual/begginer aluminum models from Wilson took off.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I think it was a mid-range stick, but I can't decide whether it was mid-high or mid-low. It wasn't a low range stick, as they were not made in Belgium, but more likely Taiwan. There are a few nice features like the hoop lamination that other high-end Wilsons had, and it is full weight, nicely balanced and has a generous sweet-spot. Also has the very square beam like JKA, CEA etc. But the fake flake is sad, and the woods used are probably standard ash and maple, no walnut. I would say it's like a Blade Team or Ezone Ace today.
Casey 1988
Rookie
I was thinking when you said how this racquet is made of a budget model more in the lines of a Graphite non Pro model using outdated tech like how modern Hammers or that graphite model that the Wilson USA Open is based on is made and these are a hair more expensive as of 2024 around $90--$119 USA depending on head size.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Just got my holliday shopping for myself done, ordered $280 worth of grips and strings off TW that should hold me at least another year.
Casey 1988
Rookie
And my over grip is much cheaper as a specific brand of black hockey tape and some waterproof superglue for the end to keep from unraveling than using a little dirt I rub in then brush the big off and water on a damp rag to remove the sticky issue. String is the expensive part when I will need to replace my string.
teachingprotx
Legend
Just so you all know it’s the year of the wood. It’s coming .. prepare ..
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Open throat woods?
Casey 1988
Rookie
We have one company making one model in two styles of natural and black color but it is currently so expensive about the same price as specific actually used by the player his racquet that is also signed but player/former player not dead yet. model from, watching online plays like a modern 2000's on up graphite 97--98 square inch head model. Yes, in the $1600 USA range for the natural and $2000 for the non-natural black version. I have not heard anything about the model/brand since June or July when they were asking for more YouTube Tennis channels for testers who would give unfiltered opinions on the models, only Tennis Spin who I can't stand his voice and Tennisnerd who is from Sweeden where the company does make its model.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
I can’t stand Tennis Spin because he’s constantly getting information wrong and doesn’t know nearly as much about rackets as he thinks he does. Also his channel seems incredibly low-effort and I almost get offended that he offers merchandise.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Alright racket nerds, help me out. What model Adidas racket is Manuel Orantes using in this 1983 match? Looks like a midsize. It doesn’t look like a GTX and it’s not the GTO/GTM either, it lacks those trademark broad shoulders on the throat. So what could it be?
You’ll have to skip ahead a bit, there’s a lengthy rain delay lol.
You’ll have to skip ahead a bit, there’s a lengthy rain delay lol.
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Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
CF-25 Mid?
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Those Lendl CF’s still have a bit of a teardrop shape that I’m just not seeing here. Nor does this thing appear to have the red/silver stripe that the CF would have going around it, at least not that I can see, nor does it have a white or clear headguard/grommets the CF in the black or navy blue color way had. It’s a good guess for sure but I’m not totally sold on that so far. So I think the search continues.
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Sanglier
Professional
This was supposedly taken during WTC 1985, but he was wearing the same hair and same shirt as in the video (but different shorts), and likely wielding the same racquet, so maybe there is a mixup in dates, unless he kept the same look for two years. I believe he was holding a "Magister", a very typical Taiwanese thin-beam of the period.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Considering he was retired by 1985 I’m gonna assume they had a typo there. Wow. Never even seen or heard of that model before. But great snooping as usual sir.This was supposedly taken during WTC 1985, but he was wearing the same hair and same shirt as in the video (but different shorts), and likely wielding the same racquet, so maybe there is a mixup in dates, unless he kept the same look for two years. I believe he was holding a "Magister", a very typical Taiwanese thin-beam of the period.
I would rock the hell out of that shirt. It looks like the Lendl series but with the classic 3 stripes and black collar. Very early-80’s cool imo.
davced1
Hall of Fame
It's a vest over the shirt the kind no player wears anymore. Still cool though.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Found this thing in basically brand new condition, a Wilson Prostaff Six.One Comp. 100sq in, 318g strung, and has a lovely RF real leather grip in 4 1/2 size, which is perfectly fine for me. Finish is excellent, and it hits very flat with a relatively low launch angle, good for some S&V action. For a mid range stick its pretty low powered.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Weird that someone would put a £20 RF leather on it. What was it $50 new?
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Little more than that. They’ve sold a version of this for a few years now. The paint job has changed a few times. Usually sells for around $100.
